US may release convicted spy to keep Israel in faltering talks

Michael R. Gordon

Jerusalem: The United States and Israel are discussing the possible release of Jonathan Pollard, a former US intelligence official serving a life sentence for spying for Israel, as part of efforts to advance the troubled Middle East peace negotiations, US officials said on Monday.

Officials familiar with the negotiations said Pollard's possible release was one element in discussions about a broader arrangement that had not yet been reached and that US President Barack Obama would need to approve.

Salvage mission: US Secretary of State John Kerry set April 29 as the deadline for a framework accord between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators. Photo: AP

Asked for comment on Monday, Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said: "Jonathan Pollard was convicted of espionage and is serving his sentence. I do not have any update for you on his status."

The possibility that Pollard's release would be considered came as US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel to try to resolve a dispute between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators over the release of Palestinian prisoners.

A Palestinian man plants an olive tree near the Israeli settlement of Mevo Dothan in the occupied West Bank to mark Land Day on March 30. The Palestinian Authority's leadership has made a "comprehensive" settlement freeze one of its conditions for extending peace talks beyond the April 29 deadline. Photo: AP

The possible release of Pollard has emerged as potential inducement for Israeli cooperation.

It is the second time that Mr Kerry has interrupted foreign travels to rush to the Middle East in a bid to save the latest Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which started last northern summer.

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After landing at Tel Aviv airport on Monday, he headed straight to Jerusalem for a two-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US peace efforts are teetering on the brink of collapse after Israel refused to free a group of 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners under an agreement which brought the sides back to the negotiating table in July 2013.

Furious Palestinian officials have warned that unless Israel changes its stance on the prisoner releases, it could signal the end of the talks.

"If we don't get an answer from John Kerry on the prisoners tonight, we'll begin to ask for membership in all UN agencies tomorrow (Tuesday)," independent Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghouti said.

In exchange for Israel's agreement to release a total of 104 prisoners in four stages, the Palestinians agreed to freeze all efforts to secure international recognition for the duration of the peace talks.

But after Israel refused to free the fourth and final batch of prisoners on March 29, the Palestinians warned Israel would "bear the consequences" of its decisions.

At a meeting in Ramallah, Mr Abbas and the Palestinian Authority leadership agreed there would be no extension of talks without a "comprehensive" freeze on settlement construction in the occupied West Bank including east Jerusalem, two separate sources said.

The peace talks, which have so far yielded no obvious results, are due to draw to a close on April 29 and US efforts are currently focused on getting the parties to agree an extension to the end of the year.